|
On the 26th of August 1833, the settlement at Port
Louis, Berkley Sound, East Falkland Island, consisted of the
following persons, viz) Captain Matthew Brisbane (superintendent)
Thomas Helsby (the writer of these pages) William Dickson, Don
Ventura Pasos, Charles Russler, Antonio Vehingar (known in Buenos
Ayres as Antony Wagner) Juan Simon (Capitaz) Faustin Martinez,
Santiago Lopez, Pascual Diego Manuel Coronel, Antonio Rivero,
Jose Maria Lune, Juan Brasido, Manuel Gonzales, Luciano Pelores,
Manuel Godoy, Felipe Salagar, Lattore, the last five being
Indians, having been sent to this Island by the Governor of Monte
Video) three women viz) Antonina Roxa, Gregoria Madrid, Carmelita
and her two children, also Captain William Low and boats crew
late of the schooner "Unicorn" were temporary
residents, (Captain Low sold the "Unicorn" near six
months since to Captain Fitz-Roy of HMS Beagle): viz Henry
Channen, John Stokes, Daniel MacKay, Patrick Kermin, Samuel
Pearce, George Hopkins, Joseph Douglas, Francis Marchedo, &
Jose Manuel Prado, likewise two men of colour, one of them
formerly of the Unicorn, known in the settlement by the name of
"honest John", and the other, late of the U.S. Schooner
"Transport"1
(Captain Bray) named Antonio Manuel.
On the morning of the 26th of August as above
mentioned, Captain Low left the colony in a whale boat with four
hands, (viz) Faustin Martinez, Francis Muchado, Jose Manuel
Prado, and the man of colour Antonio Manuel, for the purpose of
sealing the North & South rocks, at the mouth of the sound,
calling at Johnsons Harbour. About 10 AM of the same date, I
walked down from Captain Brisbane's house towards the store on
the point, for the purpose of procuring some oil from William
Dickson, whom I found with Henry Channen, Daniel McKay
and Joseph Douglas, in the house of Antonio Wagner.
I returned immediately afterwards towards the flagstaff with
Henry Channen, leaving the three aforementioned persons with
Antonio Wagner, in his house. When I had passed the house of
Antonio Santiago Lopez, I met Antonio Rivero,
Jose Maria Luna, Juan Brasido, Manuel Gonzales, Luciano Flores,
Manuel Godoy, Felipe Salagar and Lattorre, running towards the
point armed with muskets, pistols, swords, dirks and knives. It
was very evident they were going to kill someone, and I hastened
towards the house of Captain Brisbane, for the purpose of
informing him of what was going on. On my arrival I was alarmed
at finding the doors locked and after knocking some time, was
surprises at learning from two of the women that the aforesaid
eight men had killed Captain Brisbane, Juan Capitaz
Simon (the Capitaz) and had left Don Ventura for dead, he having
been wounded by a musket ball in his throat, his head cut open,
and his hand almost cut off by a sword, afterwards he escaped by
a back window, and reached the house of Antonina Roxa, about 50
or 60 yards distant. On my way up from the point, I heard two
musket shots fired at the house of Antonio Wagner, where they
killed him, and William Dickson, to which two of the boats crew
Joseph Douglas and Daniel McKay, were eye witness.
They then returned to the house of Captain Brisbane, and not
finding the body of Don Ventura, searched for him and on finding
him, he ran out, when I saw him killed by their firing 2 or 3
musket shots at him. On being informed what had taken place by
the women on my arrival from the point, I was attempting my
escape by running into the camp, but was soon overtaken by Felipe
Salagar, who was on horse back, and seeing that it was impossible
to get from him, I walked towards him, he had a drawn sword in
his hand. Afterwards I got upon the South side of the garden wall
to see where the remaining seven men were, when they passed along
the outside of the South wall entered the garden gate and came
across it to shoot me, and ordered me off the wall for that
purpose. Some conversation took place among them and I was
spared, but I was ignorant at that time by whose interposition;
this occurred immediately on their return from killing Antonio
Wagner and William Dickson, and before they missed the body of
Ventura.
I was ordered by them into Captain Brisbane's house, and there
first saw his body lying dead upon the floor, he appeared to have
been making towards his pistols before he fell, and there was
smile of contempt or disdain very strongly marked in his
countenance. They dragged his body with a horse to a considerable
distance, and plundered the house. Afterwards it was locked up
and I was ordered to the house of Antonina Roxa, where I found
her, one of the women and Pascual Diez. I pleaded hard to be
allowed to go to the house of the boat crew, but it was not
permitted. I considered myself still condemned to be shot, and
they left one for the purpose of plundering William Dickson's the
store at the point, after some conversation on their return, I
was ordered to my room, and I took that opportunity of joining
the boats crew (seven on them) at their own house. The assassins
now became possessed of all the arms and ammunition in the place
excepting what the boats crew had, two guns of which were only
good for any thing, and which might be said to compose all the
arms they had to defend themselves with. The house of Faustin
Martinez (who was with Captain Low) was robbed of its contents.
At the time these murders took place, the remainder of the male
inhabitants of the settlement were at the following places; I and
Henry Channen were returning from the house of Antonio Wagner
towards the flag staff, having left two of the boats crew there
as before mentioned, with him and William Dickson, Santiago Lopez
was in the house of the boats crew, four of whom were within and
variously employed, Pascual Diez was cooking in the house of
Antonina Roxa, Manuel Coronel was sick in bed, and honest John
was in his own house, whose fingers and toes had been frost
bitten. Captain Brisbane was a native of Perth in Scotland,
William Dickson of Dublin in Ireland, Antonio Vehingar alias
Wagner, of Pratten on the Rhine in Germany, Juan Simon (Capitaz)
of France, but further particulars unknown.
The eight murderers made the house of Santiago Lopez their
head quarters, where they afterwards lived, and which commanded a
view of the mouth of the Sound, the entrance into the basin and
the house of the boats crew. About two hours after the murders
were committed, we saw the green whale boat drifting across the
basin and which had been launched by them, (from the place she
was laying in, hauled up high and dry) to prevent our escape. We
kept a good look out all day, and a regular watch was set at
night, to guard against surprise. The wind blowing very fresh
from the westward, and when we saw the boat on shore on the other
side of the basin on the rocks, we expected she would be such a
state as to be of no use to us in effecting our escape.
Tuesday 27th. Wind from the SW weather more
moderate. Phelipe Salagar called at the house at day break this
morning on horse back, inviting us to walk about the settlement
as usual, but observing that their object was to separate us, it
was determined that only two should leave the house at one time
on any account. We kept within doors altho' several requests were
made that we should bury the dead, and at length Henry Channen
and Samuel Pearce left the house to assist in burying Captain
Brisbane, Juan Simon and Don Ventura: they had some difficulty in
finding the body of the former, which had been dragged by a horse
to a considerable distance from the house, and was interred on
the spot, the two latter were buried in one grave, the bodies
were stripped of a part of their clothes and their pockets
searched by Juan Brasido; during the absence of Channen and
Pearce, I was outside the house looking round, when I perceived
Lattore coming full gallop towards me, with a sword in his hand,
and I retreated within doors, when he was within about 100 yards
of me, on which Felipe Salagar called to him, and he turned his
horse in another direction, and I afterwards found that he was
sent by Antonio Rivero for the purpose of killing me, and under
the expectation that I should assist in burying the dead; a
loaded musket was sent to one of the graves for the express
purpose of dispatching me. On the return of Channen and Pearce,
Stokes and Hopkins left the house to assist in burying William
Dickson and Antonio Wagner, the body of the former was stripped
of every thing except his shirt waistcoat and drawers. The jolly
boat which had been fastened to a boat under the flag staff was
this day turned adrift, no doubt to prevent our means of
escaping, and appeared at high water about 2PM to be going out of
the gut into the sound, but fortunately grounded on the East side
of the basin near the entrance.
On this day they killed some of the tame cattle, saying, now
they would have fat beef, and talked of going tomorrow into the
camp to the southward, asked several questions respecting where
Captain Low had gone, but we gave them very different answers to
where we supposed he was. This evening Juan Brasido informed me,
he had been the cause of saving my life, when they came armed to
me across the garden, as it was their intention to shoot me, and
related the conversation that had passed amongst them concerning
me, that he had done all in his power to save me altogether, but
that he was only one against seven, and that I was merely safe
for the present and that he and Jose Maria Luna were at variance
with the other six, who not only wanted to kill me, but the whole
of the boats crew, women and children so that no one would be
left to tell the story of what had actually occurred. All hope of
escaping appeared now to be cut off by their turning the two
boats adrift, and as the weather had been very boisterous, we had
every reason to expect to find them both stove on the rocks,
where they were lying on the other side of the basin. The boat
with Captain Low and the four hands was seen this morning under
sail off the mouth of the sound going towards the south rocks. A
message was soon afterwards received by one of the indians from
Antonio Rivero requesting to know which way she was going, when
we replied she was going towards the North rocks, when we all
felt convinced that she was going to the Southward. Preparation
was made by them for leaving the settlement to go to the
Southward, and all the horses (say fifty) were collected for that
purpose from Long island. It was reported that their intention
was to escape to Patagonia by falling in with some vessel in
Grantham Sound, Choisseul Bay or Bull Point.
Thursday 29th. The eight murderers left the
settlement this morning on horse back armed, for the north rocks
with the avowed intention of killing Captain Low and his boats
crew; after seeing them over the hill four hands were dispatched
to examine into the condition of the two boats on the other side
of the basin; they found the whale boat completely stove, but
after some time returned with the jolly boat, and as she was
small could merely carry our persons arms and ammunition which
were necessary for our subsistance, we quickly determined first
to land on Hog island and then that the boat should return with a
few hands for the purpose of bringing off the seal skins
belonging to the boat's crew which had been the whole of their
earnings for the last sixteen months, and in procuring which they
had suffered much privation and labour. All hands hastened
towards the boat, learning the assassins had only pretended to go
after Captain Low, for the purpose of seeing if we would make any
attempt at escaping, and on approaching her to embark, two of the
women made their appearance in male attire on horse back and were
nearly fired on as we at first supposed they were the Indians
returning, not knowing them in their disguise. In this dress they
intended going to the southward with the eight murderers, who
were not only going to compel them, but the three men also who
took no part in the murders. We then saw Pascual Diez coming
towards us, crying and begging to be taken into the boat, and we
complied with his request. Charles Russler then made his
appearance, and we made signs for him to join us, and he lost no
time in doing so. Santiago Lopez, Manuel Coronel and the three
women begged we would not leave them for if we did, the eight
Indians were sure to kill them on their return. It was impossible
for the boat, small as she was, to carry all of them, and we
directed the party to get round the basin to the point in front
of Hog island as quick as possible, & on our arrival at that
island the boat returned with a few hands to embark them, and no
time was lost in doing so, as they were found ready there on
arrival. Our party now consisted of twelve men three women and
two children, and the next consideration was how we were to
subsist? When it was instantly agreed that the boat should return
to again to the colony for the purpose of bringing off whatever
beef they could meet with, & we felt much anxiety for her
return which she effected in safety bringing beef, fat, molasses
and a few clothes, principally blankets. In consequence of saving
the lives of these nine persons, the boats crew lost the only
opportunity they had of saving their seal skins, which they had
procured after so much starvation hardship and labour, and most
of them after their escape, had not a second change of clothes to
their backs. During the hurry of embarcation we saw nothing of
black John, and not knowing the instant the Indians might return
we did not think of going to look for him, he was the only person
left behind. After our escape I was informed by the boats crew,
that Juan Brasido, had also informed them on the same day I had
the conversation with him, it was the intention of the murderers
to kill me, and he begged of them to use every means in their
power to prevent, and they explained they would not tell me
before, as it would only have added to the anxiety of my
situation.
Friday 30th Wind from the southward blowing fresh,
at noon low water, saw the eight Indians galloping from the
settlement towards the beach opposite us, a distance at low water
of about 250 or 300 yards. On their arrival they gave an Indian
yell and commenced taking the water with their horses, with an
intention of crossing over to us, we fired upon them repeatedly,
and they as often returned it; on firing the last shots they
retreated in a body & rushed as fast as they could gallop to
the back of a small hill, which at high water formed an island
and I believe one of them was struck with a rifle ball, for he
was seen to dismount with all the appearance of being wounded.
They then returned to the settlement and passed over the hill to
the westward, where we suppose they took up their quarters for
the night in the open camp. Honest John was seen this afternoon
going from house to house, and with the help of a telescope could
plainly perceive him busy carrying bundles of things towards his
own house.
Saturday 31st. Saw the Indians in the settlement,
going from one house to another, and in the evening left it in a
body and crossed over the hill to the westward with their baggage
on spare horses
September 1st Sunday. Early this morning several
vollies were heard from the other side of the hill to the
westward. Some of the Indians to be seen about the settlement
this day.
Monday 2nd. A regular watch kept day and night,
looking out for the boat of Captain Low, and observing the
settlement; fearing the indians might have gone after Captain Low
to the south rocks, & force the four hands to bring them in
the boat, or murder all hands and bring the boat up themselves;
we thought it therefore prudent to move to a small island known
by the name of Turf island, which we could more easily defend in
case of an attack, and from the top of which two hands could keep
a good lookout over the whole of the sound, which was an
advantage over Hog island, and it would also take more than
double our number to guard against surprise or the approach of a
boat. Moved from Hog island in four trips, found the water small
in quantity and brackish.
Tuesday 3rd. Disagreeable misty weather with strong
winds from the westward.
Wednesday 4th. Out of provisions sent the boat to
Long island, returned after killing a young tame Bull and six
geese. The trip afforded us shoes, which we were much in want of.
Wind from NW blowing fresh.
Thursday 5th. Wind from the SW blowing fresh.
Friday 6th. --"-- from Westd. ?? ??
Saturday 7. --"-- ?? --"-- ?? --"-- ??
Several very unwell in consequence of the water on the island.
In daily anxiety for the fate of Captain Low & boats crew,
but dare not venture to send the boat, as our very existence
depends on her, there being no wild fowl on this island, and not
knowing how soon we may be out of water, bad as it is. The boat
is now very leaky in consequence of her being so frequently
hauled up & launched over the rocks on this & the other
island.
Sunday 8th. Strong wind from the westward, very
cold, the brackish water frozen up, and icicles hanging from the
banks.
Monday 9th. Out of provisions, strong wind from the
southward with snow, launched the boat and six of us went to the
settlement where we arrived after much difficulty; expecting to
find provisions, we entered each house in the place, found all
deserted and every thing in a wretched state, all having been
destroyed by the Indians. The rabbit skins on the point, which
which belonged to the late William Dickson were cut to pieces and
the six seal skins paid by the boats crew, missing. The bedding
and chests of the boats crew destroyed and cut to pieces, &
the whole of their seal skins cut to pieces,. Captain Brisbane's
house in a horrid state of confusion, and whatever they could not
carry away destroyed. Some of the seal skins missing, and nothing
in the shape of provisions to be found; half a barrel of flour, a
quantity of molasses and tea missing, which it was impossible for
the Indians to carry off with them. Found black John in bed, who
informed us that the Indians came into the settlement almost
every night, and that they were last on the night of the 7th
instant. Returned to the island, killed some shags on the rocks,
which with water was all we had to live on, and we found them
very strong fishy & disagreeable.
Tuesday 10th. Strong breezes from the N.W. nothing
but shags for breakfast; since our escape from the settlement our
meals have been only twice a day (viz) sunrise and sunset. Sent
the boat to Long island, returned with four pigs, (one old sow
and three young ones), all miserably poor, and ten geese which
were very acceptable.
Wednesday 11th. Heavy rain during the night, which
came into our house thro' the roof, (the house being under a peat
bank, with the boat's sail slanting to the ground for a roof:
after part of the day fine weather, being the first we have had
since our escape. Our small supply of brackish water much
improved by last nights rain. We used the last of the molases
this day, and have now the boat alone to depend on, fine weather,
and killing wild fowl for our subsistance.
Thursday 12th. The wind from the South, weather
more moderate, sent the boat to Long island, as the pork on hand
will not last over tomorrow, boat returned with a boar and
seventeen geese, the wind increasing to a gale from SW; in the
evening blowing hard from the Westward.
Friday 13th. Fine morning with a gentle breeze from
the Westward, the boat dispatched to Long island for geese, &
returned with about thirty, the only percussion gun we had, and 1
of the only two guns we could in anywise depend on rendered
useless by the lock breaking, being past our present means of
repairing. Wind from the Southward. About 4 P.M. Saw the whale
boat, at the Westward end on Long island, standing towards the
basin, made signals for her by showing the flag, firing guns and
shouting, she kept on towards the settlement, fired two shots,
she then lowered her sail and pulled towards us. Captain Low
informed us that he had fired two shots at two of the Indians,
who were at the entrance of the basin, and they galloped off with
their horses, that he knew what had occurred at the settlement
yesterday, because he sent Faustin Martinez by land from South
rocks to the Colony for some tobacco, that Martinez had remained
one night there in the house of black John, who informed him of
the particulars, & he had a very narrow escape in returning,
which took him two days, for he had walked round the coast to
prevent his falling in with the Indians, from whom at one time he
could not have been far distant, as some of their dogs joined
him. Captain Low and the four hands remained with us on the
island.
Saturday 14th. Wind from the Westward, landed this
morning at the settlement in the large boat, saw nothing of the Indians, searched the house of black John, and found it full of clothes belonging to different persons, aswell as seal skins, black and grey rabbit's also flour, soap and laundry articles from the store, and we brought him to the island with us, and as many papers as we found undestroyed.
Sunday 15th. Thick cloudy weather, wind from S.W. Faustin Martinez, Santiago Lopez & Pascual Diez, voluntered to go on shore to look for cattle; landed them at dusk at the entrance to Fishhouse Creek, heavy rain both before & after they landed.
Monday 16th. Wind at sunrise from the Westward blowing fresh, launched the boat to look for the three men agreeable to the arrangement of last evening; pulled towards the head of the bay, heard a gun fired, and returned the signal, but saw nothing of them, fired a gun which was returned, saw the smoke, and in a few minutes afterwards the men, took them into the boat, when they reported they had seen nothing of the indians, but had met with cattle, and had driven them close to the head of the bay, but being so very tired had left them there; returned to the island to breakfast, and afterwards to look for the cattle, found them about three miles from where we landed at the head of Salvador Bay; drive about twenty of them along the South bank of the Sound as far as the point formed by creek opposite Long Island, and when within a few hundred yards of it they bolted back again. Killed a small one which in very poor condition, sufficient to last us for supper this evening and breakfast tomorrow morning
Tuesday 17th. A hard gale from the Westward, too rough to launch the boat.
Wednesday 18th. Blowing fresh from the Westward nothing to eat, caught some rooks with a snare of string for breakfast;
|
